DARK, UGLY, STINKY THINGS

DARK, UGLY, STINKY THINGS

A few months ago I began to hear something in my spirit; something rather startling and yet exciting! This is what I heard:

"God specializes in taking dark, ugly, stinky things and transforming them into beautiful, bright, fragrant things for His glory and for our good."

As I thought about it, I became convinced that it was a word from the Lord to me and that God wanted me to share with others. From that time I have said it often to myself and to others. Then one day I asked the Lord to give me scripture for such a statement and he gave me three:

 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." (Romans 8:28) NLT

 Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and the Lord used their selfish, stinking, murderous act as a means of their own salvation, for it was Joseph who was used of God to provide food for them years later when they and their families were starving.

 The most heinous, dark, ugly, stinky thing mankind ever did was when we nailed the Son of God to that cross and watched him die. But God turned that foul deed into the gift of salvation for all mankind.

The story is told of a survivor of a shipwreck who was washed up on a small, uninhabited Island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but all in vain.
He eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and a place to store his meager possessions.

But then one day, after being out scavenging the Island for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you allow this to happen to me?" he cried. He went to sleep that night in a state of deep grief, disbelief, and discouragement. Early the next day he was awakened by the sounds from a ship approaching the island. As the boat from the ship touched onto the shore he ran into the surf shouting, "How did you know I was here?"

"We saw your smoke signal," they answered.

That which now seems to be nothing but total tragedy may be the instrument in the hands of God to bring you into total victory.

"HE WHO HAS JESUS AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAS NO MORE THAN HE WHO HAS JESUS AND NOTHING ELSE." - C. S. Lewis

Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World War II, was invited to do the commencement speech at Yale University right after the war. He walked to the podium and stood looking at the vast audience for a long moment, then began his speech. The graduates and their invited guests sat waiting to savor every word of the great orator as he began to speak. Churchill boomed out the words:

"NEVER GIVE UP!"

(long pause)

"NEVER, EVER GIVE UP!"

(another long pause)

"NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!"
He stood there in silence for a long time looking out over the audience, then turned and walked back to his seat on the platform and sat down. It was the shortest commencement address in the history of the University . . . but it might be the only one that will never be forgotten.

Do not forget to thank God for all the good things he does for you each day! And do not forget to thank your heavenly Father for all the dark, ugly, stinky things that come your way, either. They may be a prelude to some of the greatest blessings you have ever received.

Robert & Joni Fitts

Where it all Starts
All fruitfulness flows out of intimacy. Out of the womb of prayer, praise and worship all things in the kingdom of God are conceived, nurtured, and brought to birth to the glory of God and for the good of mankind.

A Declaration of Unity
I belong to everything that belongs to Jesus and everything that belongs to Jesus belongs to me! It's not us and them. It's just us! There's only one Body of Christ, and the problems of the church, the whole church, are our problems, for we are the church and we can do more united than we can do divided! So let's unify, simplify, and multiply!

Divine Appointment Prayer
Father, give me a divine appointment today with someone who is hungry for God, or sick, or in need, and give me grace to minister the love of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

A Prayer for More Workers and More Miracles
Father, send more laborers into this harvest and grant us boldness to speak your word, by stretching forth your hand to heal and that signs and wonders be done in the name of Jesus.

Winning the War on Terrorism Through Prayer
"Father, give every terrorist in the world an encounter with Jesus like Saul of Tarsus had on the road to Damascus."

LAW, NO! GRACE, YES!
The law demands, demands, demands, but gives me neither feet nor hands.
Now Grace and Truth are better things, they bid me fly and give me wings!